The Easter season, also known as Eastertide or Paschaltide, constitutes the most significant period in our Catholic liturgical calendar.
It commences on Easter Sunday, the day celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and extends for fifty days until Pentecost Sunday.
This duration reflects the early Christian practice of observing one continuous feast of joy, often described as a single “great Sunday.”
During this time, the Church commemorates the culmination of Christ’s redemptive work, including His appearances to the disciples after the Resurrection, His Ascension into heaven, and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost.
The season emphasizes themes of victory over death, glorified life, and the outpouring of divine grace, with the frequent proclamation of “Alleluia” as a central expression of exultation.
The initial eight days form the Octave of Easter, during which each day holds the rank of a solemnity to prolong the solemn joy of Easter Sunday.
Liturgical elements include the use of white vestments as a symbol of purity, light and resurrection glory, along with the prominent placement of the Paschal Candle in the sanctuary until Pentecost.
Key observances within the season encompass Divine Mercy Sunday on the second Sunday of Easter and the Ascension of the Lord, typically celebrated forty days after Easter.
In its entirety, the Easter season invites the faithful to deepen their understanding of the Paschal mystery through prayer, scripture, and participation in the sacraments, underscoring that the Resurrection forms the foundation of Christian faith.
For the year 2026, this period spans from April 5 to May 24.
5 April 2026
